1818 Sept. 1.

Parl. Reform Bill

Reasons ult o

'. Electors Who

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Thus we have /may be seen/ two degrees as it were of appropriate aptitude with reference to the great end in view: 1. appropriate /primary or immediately operating/ aptitude, aptitude with reference to the exercise of this virtually supreme power; 2. appropriate aptitude, /secondary or unimmediate or instrumental aptitude,/ with reference to the choice of the persons by whom this same virtually supreme power shall be exercised.

The primary or immediately operating appropriate aptitude has been found resolvable into three elements - appropriate probity or moral aptitude, appropriate intellectual aptitude, and appropriate active talent. The unimmediately operating appropriate aptitude may be conceived as resolved into the same three elements. But in the case of these possessors not each of them of a share in the virtually supreme power but of a share in the appointment of those by each of whom a share in that same virtually supreme power shall be exercised, one of the three elements viz. appropriate active talent will be found not to be needful: the /all/ demand for it will /may/ be seen to be excluded by the nature of the case - by the nature of the function to be exercised. A judgment will be to be formed and declared: but the declaration of that judgment and of the consequent will being to be declared, there is nothing further to be done.

By this consideration the portion of appropriate aptitude necessary is in the case of this secondary species of aptitude reduced within bounds comparatively narrow: the facility and assurance of finding or creating it in sufficient quantity is proportionably encreased.